US EditionAdidas Accused of Cultural Appropriation over New Shoe Design
OAXACA, MEXICO, AUG 8 – Mexican authorities say Adidas copied a traditional Indigenous sandal without consent and demand suspension of sales and restitution amid growing legal protections for Indigenous designs.
- Mexican authorities accused Adidas of plagiarizing Indigenous artisans with the Oaxaca Slip-On sandal, designed by Willy Chavarria for Adidas Originals, sparking controversy in August 2025.
- The accusations follow a history of global brands copying Oaxaca’s Indigenous designs without permission, prompting Mexican legal efforts against cultural misappropriation.
- The Oaxaca Slip-On features woven leather straps and a thick rubber sole closely resembling huaraches from the Zapotec community in Villa Hidalgo de Yalalag, a tradition-rich town in Oaxaca.
- The governor of Oaxaca, Salomón Jara Cruz, strongly criticized Adidas for using the Yalalag huarache pattern without authorization, emphasizing that the issue goes beyond a mere design and touches upon the deep-rooted heritage, traditions, and identity of an indigenous community.
- Adidas responded by requesting dialogue with local officials and entered talks to provide compensation, while Mexico plans legal reforms to protect Indigenous artisans from future appropriation.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Mexico to Adidas: You Ripped Off Our Sandals
Mexican authorities are accusing sportswear company Adidas of plagiarizing artisans in southern Mexico, alleging that a new sandal design is strikingly similar to the traditional Indigenous footwear known as huaraches, per the AP . Adidas responded in a letter on Friday, saying that the company "deeply values the cultural wealth of...
Reforma
mural.com.mxWilly Chavarr admitted that there was cultural appropriation of Oaxacan community to with Adidas sandals; he designed ador regret the lack of respect.
Footwear giant accused of plagiarizing Mexican artisans with new sandal design
Mexican authorities are accusing sportswear company Adidas of plagiarizing artisans in southern Mexico, alleging that a new sandal design is strikingly similar to the traditional Indigenous footwear known as huaraches.
Mexico is complaining that the German sports brand Adidas has released a sandal named after a Mexican state, without Mexicans benefiting from it in any way. The design is also inspired by a traditional indigenous sandal.
The president joins the demand of the governor of Oaxaca in considering that Willy Chavarría's work violates the work of the indigenous communities
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